There have been so many tunes running through my head lately and I have been remiss in creating a new playlist over the last couple of weeks. My bad habit of procrastination rears its ugly head when I can’t seem to find the “just right” song to start or finish the ride. Then one of my students recently asked “why aren’t you playing more Bruno Mars in your classes?”

With that suggestion I moved on through to create a playlist with a mixture of old and new tunes that I hope will serve your workout needs. The cool down tune was my mother’s idea and I think it makes the whole ride really special.

Let me know what you think of it and remember—I need song suggestions, always. So be sure to post them in the comments below!

Thanks!

Locked Out of Heaven:Bruno Mars

In my opinion Locked Out of Heaven is the best song on Mars’ Unorthodox Jukebox album and it has a fantastic steady beat to start the workout in a bouncy, fun mood.

Out of My League: Fitz & the Tantrums

This is one of those “every eventually starts bopping their heads” tunes that always makes me smile when I see the effect it has on the room. Also—it sounds amazing on a good stereo out loud so go for it!

Let it Whip:Dazz Band

If you really want some early 80s funk mixed in with some perfect roller boogie swagger than you have to try this one out in your ride. (I had to include an American Bandstand video just for nostalgia’s sake!)

Boys Wanna Be Her:Peaches

Peaches is a kick butt singer and songwriter that I first learned about on The Henry Rollins Show and it has been my mission to get as many of my students to learn about her as a I possibly can. Enjoy!

Apparitions: Matthew Good Band

Climbing and strength segments are a big part of most of my cycling classes because even though it is a cardio workout—your leg muscles can get some great definition if you add resistance. This song is slow and deliberate but has a great “build” to it so that at the end—everyone is working at their highest level.

Everlong:Foo Fighters

This song was David Letterman’s favorite by the Foos and he had so much clout that the band played it on one of his last shows. It also totally rules and I can listen to it every day.

Hypnotize:The Notorious B.I.G.

Let me make this clear—if you wish to play this out loud in one of your classes please be sure to use the “clean version. Trust me on that (holler back from Brooklyn!)

Somebody Told Me:The Killers

When I ready to work in some sprints into the mix this tune from TheKillers moves at a quick place and will get the heart rate up.

South Side: Moby

What is better than Gwen Stefani and Moby collaborating on a song? Nothing, I say! South Side has a languid, dreamy quality with a killer guitar riff tearing through it.

Creep: TLC

One thing that drives me crazy about playing this out loud in class is that it is recorded so low that I have to blast the volume to get it to sound correctly in the room. Otherwise to me it is damn near perfect though Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes hated the message it conveyed to young women. (She isn’t wrong, by the way) However, I love it because the beat is so catchy and powerful!

I Heard I Had:Dear Rouge

If you are looking for a dance/electronic tune to play in your class that has not been played everywhere—try this one from this Indie Canadian band. (LOVE IT!)

Doin’ Time:Sublime

Just did some research and learned that Doin’ Time is almost 20 years old (released in 1997) which makes me feel completely ancient.

Drive:The Cars

The cool down song is brought to you at the suggestion of my mom which makes me happy. :

Today’s playlist was inspired after I heard Matthew Sweet’sGirlfriend on the radio last week and my brain went “ahhhh” from happiness. I decided it would be the perfect warm-up song and created a 50-minute interval ride for indoor cycling that will work for any of your cardio needs. Hope you like it!

Let me know what you think of it and remember—I need song suggestions, always.

Girlfriend:Matthew Sweet

From the opening guitar riff right through all of the cool drum fills-this song seriously kicks butt and makes me want to work harder. Love, love, love, deeply love this song.

Pump It: The Black Eyed Peas

For all of you Pulp Fiction fans—the music “bed” here is Dick Dale’sMisirlou which gives it a retro cool kind of sound.

Can’t Hold Us:Mackelmore & Ryan Lewis

I love the consistent beat here and it always gets the class powered up to take it up a notch. (The video is a little strange but I kind of like it anyway.)

A Sky Full of Stars:Coldplay

The music and orchestration here are so lush and wonderful that I had to find out who produced it. Guess what? It’s co-produced by my favorite Swedish DJ Avicii!

Fly: Sugar Ray featuring Super Cat

It is basically impossible to NOT sing along to this tune from Sugar Ray which always reminds me of summer. Plus, I really do just want to fly.

Gold Guns Girls:Metric

Being the American superfan of this band brings a tremendous responsibility on my part where I must include them as often as possible in my playlists. You’re welcome!

Safe and Sound:Capital Cities

I like my bouncy fun dance pop tunes and this one fits the bill nicely.

Americano:Lady Gaga

Where did Lady Gaga go? I mean that seriously because I am happiest when she records pop tunes like this that have an edge. Gaga, please come back when you are done touring with Tony Bennett!

(Also–can someone please find me the original video which included a cameo by Norman Reedus? Thanks!)

Style: Taylor Swift

This is my new favorite song and represents the first time Taylor Swift has been included in one of my playlists. Hello Taylor!

Hella Good No Doubt

I have an image from my friend’s wedding over ten years ago where they played this song at her reception and her grandparents boogied to Hella Good. (So much fun and the bass here is excellent!)

Shut Up and Dance:Walk the Moon

Every time I hear this song it reminds me so much of the kind of songs that would appear on 80s movie soundtracks. That’s meant to be a compliment.

Stars:Moby

This song is great for climbing or using the incline on the treadmill. Plus it features tons of stars including Corey Feldman whom Margo P. and talk about on our podcast here at this iTunes link.

Unknown Legend:Neil Young

This is my favorite song off of Neil Young’sHarvest Moon album and features background vocals (on the original album) from Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor and Nicolette Larson so it generally just rules.

That’s it for me this time. Now go out there get your workout mojo on!

Sometimes I look at an old playlist and it will feature a song or two that just don’t move me anymore. Know what I mean? In fact those now dreaded songs will drive me crazy enough to scrap said playlist from my iPod Classic and start over. (Why, oh why, did I not think to buy two of them last year? They go for almost $900 now!)

So today’s playlist is completely suck-free (IMHO) and it will get you good and sweaty when you hit the gym. You’re welcome!

Wake Me Up: Avicii

Normally I am not a big fan of “club” or “house” music but dammit if this Swedish dreamboat knows how to write the PERFECT warmup tunes. Try this one for yourself and tell me if it doesn’t get you into the mood to move.

Since U Been Gone:Kelly Clarkson

Admittedly I am a little late to the party here but Kelly Clarkson is a fantastic singer and whoever picks her tunes for her—bravo!

All the Small Things: blink-182

Just about everyone in the room songs along when I play this in my classes and the video is sublime.

The Pretender:Foo Fighters

If you know me then you know that I need me some Foos on a regular basis.

Sunday Morning: k-os

K-os is a Canadian musician that needs to catch on here in the States. Anyhoo—this song is fun for running out of the saddle sprints.

Get Up:James Brown

A really complicated man (to say the least!) who was also incredibly talented, James Brown is his best and funkiest here.

Dancing With Myself: Billy Idol

My inner 80s kid still loves Billy Idol. LOVE!

Uptown Funk:Mark Ronson with Bruno Mars

Is there any better new song out there right now? It can’t be possible. And if Uptown Funk doesn’t make you want to go dancing—then you have no soul.

Love Interruption: Jack White

My super weird crush on Jack White continues at a feverish pace…

Heavy Metal Drummer:Wilco

Wilco is always on my iPod and this is my favorite song by them.

Starships:Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj is a bit of an individualist and this is her anthem to those of us who like to outside the mainstream.

The Perfect Life:Moby with Wayne Coyne

This is one of those long “majestic” climb tunes that helps to end the road on a high note.

Today I want to start off with a song that every once in a while becomes an earworm in my brain. It’s just so damn catchy and fun that I can’t think of a reason to NOT play it.

Anyhoo—I hope you like this mix today of the old and new. This is a 50-minute interval ride of varying in tempo and mood from song to song. Hope you enjoy it!

That’s Not My Name:The Ting Tings

I dare you to NOT sing along to the chorus—it’s damn near impossible!

Pon de Replay:Rhianna

Rhianna is a new obsession for me. I have been downloading her music like crazy lately.

Fixed to Ruin:Sam Roberts

Sam Roberts has been very popular in Canada and looks like he might be taking off here as well. This is from his last album and is my favorite from him by far.

Runnin’ Down a Dream:Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

The video for this song still kind of freaks me out but I love playing it super loud!

Zombie: The Cranberries

The Cranberries bring out my inner “Irish Badass” to the fore.

Gold Digger:Kanye West (with Jamie Foxx)

I played this on Sunday morning and one of my students said “What was that Ray Charles song you played today?” I told him it was actually Jamie Foxx singing and that there was a BIG difference between the “clean” and “explicit” version.

Supermassive Black Hole: Muse

This was the first hit from Muse that made me pay attention to them.

Glory and Gore:Lorde

Some people get annoyed by Lorde but I think she is really interesting.

Spring is in the air (well, we had a hint of it over the weekend) and I am ready to look forward to a new season filled with sunny skies, warmer temps and an upbeat attitude. So today I present my newest playlist featuring some of my favorite tunes right now. Enjoy!

Happy:Pharrell Williams

I should hate this song with all of its cheeriness and lack of cynicism but dammit if it isn’t so much fun to bop your head along to this one. (Does that sound passive aggressive? I hope not!)

Fire Sign:The Gossip

Beth Ditto has one of the best voices in rock and roll and this is my favorite tunes by her band.

Let It Whip:Dazz Band

Can any song make me happier than this one? I think Pharrell has stiff competition here.

Can’t Hold Us Down:Christina Aguilera

I cannot believe this song is over ten years old now—yikes! (I am indeed getting old.)

When You’re Falling: Afro Celt Sound System

This is a great song to climb to and I love Peter Gabriel’s voice.

Gold Guns Girls:Metric

My all-time favorite Metric single and it it kills me that I have yet to see them live. (Need to work on that…)

Safe and Sound: Capital Cities

A real bouncy-sounding tune that reminds of 80’s pop music.

South Side:Moby

Gwen Stefani really classes up the joint here.

Let Me Entertain You: Robbie Williams

For some reason he never caught on in America but I still love to hear me some Robbie Williams.

Believe in Me: Sloan

If you are not familiar with this pop/rock Canadian band—try out this song to start. They know how to write hooks!

Creep:TLC

(This reminds me –I still need to see that VH-1 movie…)

Time to Pretend:MGMT

Supposedly MGMT will have a new music out this year. (Fingers crossed!)

Take a Picture:Filter

The lead singer is very cute and his brother was in Terminator 2.

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That’s all I have today folks. Let me know about some of your favorite songs and radio stations. I am always looking for good tunes.

Is it cold enough for you? (West Coast peeps can just shut their collective pie holes, by the way. We get it—it’s nice there. Now stop bragging about it on Facebook!)

Anyhoo I finally got around to creating a new playlist and it received kudos over the weekend by my picky students. It’s a mixture of old & new tunes and I hope you all enjoy it. (Now enough of the Polar Vortex crap!)

Crystal Vases:The Last Royals

I love this song to use as a warm-up as it is fun and poppy sounding. However—try tot to focus on the lyrics as they are rather, um, depressing.

Hell:Tegan and Sara

My fondness for Canadians continues with this duo who write some really catchy pop-rock tunes.

Get the Party Started:P!nk

If you need a go-to that is guaranteed to get the whole room into a groove—try this one from P!nk. Cuz it rules!

World Turning: Fleetwood Mac

I love Lindsey Buckingham and this one is one of my all-time favorites from his early days in Fleetwood Mac.

Midnight City: M83

This is one of those slow, climb-type of songs that reminds me of 80s New Wave music.

Hollaback Girl:Gwen Stefani

Personally, I prefer the version where she curses…B A N A N A S! (Don’t worry, this video is clean.)

I Don’t Feel Ike Dancing: Scissor Sisters

If there is a happier sounding song in the world—I have yet to find it.

Brain Stew: Green Day

Give me some crunchy-sounding guitars just about any day of the week, thankyouverymuch.

Holding on for Life: Broken Bells

The first time I heard this song I was convinced it was Justin Timberlake and Jimmy Fallon singing as the Bee Gees. Love it though I know nothing about this band.

Machinehead: Bush

Are they names after the President(s?) Does anyone know the answer to that?

Starships:Nicki Minaj

Once again—I prefer the dirty version of this tune. (NSFW! Really!)

Stars:Moby

For some reason Moby seems to write the perfect songs to use for “climbs.”

Changes:David Bowie

“Time may change me, but I can’t change time.”

That’s all I have today folks. Let me know about some of your favorite songs and radio stations. I am always looking for good tunes.

My playlist this week features a mixture of new tunes and few classic gems for a true interval ride. The energy level goes up and down so it is perfect for Tabata and sprint drills. Enjoy!

Wake Me Up:Avicii

This Swedish DJ’s real name is Tim Bergling and he has possibly the most gorgeous face I have ever seen on a man or woman. Just look at those blue eyes and high cheekbones…sorry, what were we talking about?

Pompeii:Bastille

Quoting directly from Wikipedia here: “Lyrically, the song is inspired by the Roman town known by the same name, which met its fate with the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.”

All the Small Things:blink-182

The one and only blink-182 song I know. Love it.

Dancing With Myself: Billy Idol

I think Billy Idol is one of the sexiest rock & roll singers of all time and this song has long been a “dancing around my bedroom like a fool” staple in my life.

Sunday Morning: k-os

A really fun tune for running sprints.

Apparitions:Matthew Good Band

For the first “climb” in this set I like this one from the Matthew Good Band.

Dog Days Are Over: Florence & the Machine

This was one of my favorite songs from her first album and is perfect for when you want your class to work harder and give more energy.

My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark: Fall Out Boy

Kind of, sort of THE perfect workout tune which makes everyone helpless against its charms.

Love Interruption: Jack White

I have a thing for pasty white guys who croon for love.

Do What U Want: Lady Gaga (with R. Kelly)

Gaga was just so damn charming on the Howard Stern Show that she can do no wrong in my eyes.

The Perfect Life:Moby (featuring Wayne Coyne)

I am not sure if everyone is aware of this but MOBY HAS A NEW SONG YOU NEED TO CHECK OUT NOW!

Pump It:The Black Eyed Peas

If you want to get a group to move hard just one last time, this is what you need to play for them.

XO:Beyoncé

This is my absolute favorite song on her new album.

That’s all I have today folks. Let me know about some of your favorite songs and radio stations. I am always looking for good tunes.

I am a huge fan of 90s music and whenever I need to give a playlist some extra “oomph” it’s time for the old favorites that USED to be played on stations with a “Modern Rock” format. (Most of the music I love is relegated to “classic rock” stations which makes me feel like I should be retired, living in Florida and bitching about the heat.)

Anyhoo—I recently came across a photo of yours truly enjoying a cheap beer in a mobile home back in the time that Kurt Cobain was alive and we had NO idea how horny Bill Clinton could get. It made me giggle (mainly because I can’t figure out why I am also holding a bowling ball) so thought I would pass along with today’s playlist—you’re welcome!

This is a 50-minute interval ride with several quick segments versus the longer hills I have been featuring lately.

Enjoy…

Gone, Gone Gone:Phillip Phillips

Apparently he was on American Idol (not a watcher of them) but this video was my introduction to this cute fella. Great song to start the class as it builds with positive vibes.

Wait a Minute: The Pussycat Dolls

This song is so silly and fun—just love it.

Stadium Love:Metric

This is my third favorite Canadian band (after Rush and The Tragically Hip) and I am DYING to see them live.

Teen Angst:Cracker

“What the world needs now is true words of wisdom like la, la, la, la, la laaaaaaaaaa.’

Price Tag: Jessie J.

One of my clients had this on her playlist and I had to Shazam it right away. It’s just so poppy and sweet!

Safe & Sound:Capital Cities

I do not know much about these guys but this song is a big hit with my students.

Flagpole Sitta: Harvey Danger

Is there anything more 90s than Harvey Danger? I think not.

Stars:Moby

I like to start this one out of the saddle with moderate resistance and keep adding before we get back in our seats and it’s heavy on the peddle. That’s the good stuff! (Check out the video for the celebrity cameos…)

Machinehead: Bush

Machinehead makes everyone want to work harder and pump their fists in the air.

My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It”:En Vogue

What on earth ever happed to En Vogue? This stuff is the sh*t!

Level: The Raconteurs

Jack White rules my world and this live version makes my butt want to wiggle like a stripper!

Hash Pipe:Weezer

Lately Weezer has been cropping up all over my iPod shuffle so I have had to let them out and into my world more often.

Natural One:The Folk Implosion

I love, love, love this damn tune.

I Feel Love (Blue Man Group Radio Edit):Blue Man Group

If you want to end on a super-fast note—try this version of the Donna Summer classic. Awesomeness!

Simple Man:Lynrd Skynrd

The best damn song from the best damn redneck band of all time.

So what do you think of my list? Remember to send me your favorite tunes in the comments below.

I am really working on getting up my playlists on a timelier basis as I really do enjoy putting them together. Please feel free to send along your own suggestions for music I should check out especially warm up and slow, hard driving “climb” songs as those are crucial for getting people motivated.

In fact, leave comments below on what songs, music, musicians and bands that put you in the mood to workout.

Is there a tune that makes you run faster?

Do you lift better listening to hard rock?

If you hear Alanis on your iPod—does your inner rock goddess make you work even harder on the elliptical?

Let me know!

So on to today’s playlist. There isn’t any particular theme attached to it—just a mixture of old and new songs that get me in the mood to be the best teacher I can each time I walk into the gym. Let’s get to it, shall we?

• Personal Jesus: Johnny Cash
When my brother served in the Navy he told me that when his crew would go for deep dives in their submarine—this song would be playing as they explored the deep sea. I just love the image of it and wanted to pass it along to you. You’re welcome!

• Town Called Malice: The Jam
Really fun piece of 80s British pop that puts me in a spirited mood.

• Breathing Underwater: Metric
This is one of those bands that played in NYC recently and I could just kick myself in the arse for missing them. (Dammit!)

• Ain’t Messin’ Round: Gary Clark Jr.
If this song doesn’t get your heart rate pumping—you need to have someone check you pulse!

• Take a Walk: Passion Pit
This is one of those “add gear and start climbing” tunes that gets everyone in a good mood.

• Walk Away: James Gang
I hear this and it makes me want to drink beer and get in a bar fight. (In a good way!)

• Pinhead: The Ramones
Gabba Gabba Hey!

• Runnin’ Down a Dream: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
The video really used to freak me out back in the day. But the song is still great.

• Butterfly: Crazy Town
The lead singer of this bad is a sad drug addict who gets kicked out of home on Celebrity Rehab. It can’t be easy to be a one-hit wonder.

• Natural One: The Folk Implosion
I liked to do “heavy sprints” to this song.